What does Celexa Look like? (3+ ingredients)

In this article, we will talk about the appearance of Celexa. We will share what Celexa looks like, the ingredients in Celexa, and other relevant information. 

What does Celexa look like?

Celexa may look like a tablet or oral solution, and the tablets vary in appearance based on their strengths. Celexa has the active ingredient citalopram and comes in a solid dosage form as a tablet and a liquid dosage form as an oral solution. 

Celexa is the brand name for citalopram and is manufactured by Forest Pharmaceuticals. The manufacturers provide Celexa in the form of both tablets and oral solutions.

Celexa tablets are film-coated and oval in shape. The tablets vary in other aspects based on the dosage (1). 

Here is what Celexa tablets look like (1): 

Celexa oral solution comes in a peppermint flavor with a strength of 2mg per ml. The oral solution bottle comes in a volume of 240ml (1). 

What are the ingredients in Celexa? 

Citalopram hydrobromide, the salt form of citalopram, is the active ingrdient in Celexa. The tablets and oral solution also contain some inactive ingredients or excipients that facilitate the manufacturing process. 

 The inactive ingredients in Celexa tablets include (1): 

• copolyvidone
• lactose monohydrate 
• corn starch
• polyethylene glycol
• magnesium stearate
• titanium dioxide 
• croscarmellose sodium
• coloring agents
• hypromellose
• glycerin

The inactive ingredients in Celexa oral solution include (1): 

• sorbitol
• methylparaben
• purifies water
• natural peppermint flavor
• propylene glycol
• propylparaben 

How does Celexa work?

Celexa contains citalopram, an antidepressant categorized as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Its mechanism involves inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, thereby increasing its concentration in the body (1). 

Thus, Celexa works by producing a serotonergic effect. A deficiency of serotonin is associated with disorders of depression and anxiety which Celexa is known to treat by regulating the levels of this neurotransmitter (1). 

Celexa also interacts with the receptors of histamine, acetylcholine, and adrenergic receptors which contribute to its side effect profile (1). 

What is Celexa used for? 

Celexa is used to treat depression and is officially approved for this purpose. It is also used off-label for several conditions like (2): 

• obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) 
• separation anxiety disorder
• generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) 
• premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• panic disorder
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 
• social anxiety disorder (SAD) 
• binge eating disorder 

It is important to note that Celexa is a prescription drug and should solely be taken under the guidance of the health care provider. Your healthcare provider will assess your condition and, if necessary, prescribe Celexa after confirming a diagnosis. 

What are the dosage recommendations for Celexa? 

Treatment using Celexa typically begins with an initial dose of 20mg, and the dose can be gradually raised to a maximum of 40mg per day. Doses higher than 40mg should not be used due to the risk of cardiovascular side effects (1). 

Patients aged over 60 years or those with live impairment, should not exceed a maximum recommended daily dosage of 20mg. Adjusting the dose is not necessary for patients with mild to moderate kidney impairment (1). 

Is Celexa effective?

The effectiveness of Celexa has been explored widely and is well-established in the literature. A review summarized thirty studies aimed to explore the efficacy of citalopram and the studies were conducted over 10 years (3). 

The results of this review demonstrated that citalopram, the active ingredient in Celexa is effective in treating depression and works as well as other antidepressants and SSRIs (3). 

Thus, Celexa is well-tolerated, safe, and effective in the treatment of various mental health conditions. Studies suggest that it can effectively treat depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and other psychiatric disorders (4). 

What are the side effects of Celexa?

Celexa can cause the following side effects (1,2):

• dry mouth
• sedation
• dizziness
• sweating
• drowsiness
• nausea 
• loss of appetite
• restlessness
• headache
• diarrhea
• xerostomia
• easy bruising
• suicidal thoughts  
• ejaculation disorder 
• vomiting
• stomach discomfort 
• tiredness

How to take Celexa?

Follow the healthcare provider’s instructions precisely when taking Celexa. Celexa can be consumed with or without food either in the morning or evening. 20 and 40mg tablets of Celexa can be cut in half if advised by your healthcare provider. 

Avoid changing the Celexa dosage by yourself. If you encounter any adverse effects while on Celexa, reach out to your healthcare provider. 

As per my knowledge, Celexa may look like a tablet or oral solution. The tablets vary in appearance based on their dosage. Manufacturers supply Celexa in the strengths of 10mg, 20mg, and 40 mg. The strength of the oral solution of Celexa is 2mg/ml. 

Celexa has the active ingredient citalopram hydrobromide and also contains several inactive ingredients. It is used to treat depressive, anxiety, and panic disorders. Celexa is an antidepressant and its efficacy is well-established in the literature. 

References